The reverse could be true too, and the Euro guys could all be at varying levels of fitness. Are Jones, Johannsson and Chandler particularly game fit at the moment? I doubt it. So why single out the MLS guys?

I think option C (JK just ran his mouth and took a reasonable idea about players needing to be at peak fitness and ran with it) is more likely.

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I'm going to assume there's a history of this regarding fitness test levels upon arrival to NT camps over JK's tenure. That makes more sense to me than JK simply putting MLS on blast because he feels like it with absolutely no truth backing it up.

I'm going to assume there's a history of this regarding fitness test levels upon arrival to NT camps over JK's tenure. That makes more sense to me than JK simply putting MLS on blast because he feels like it with absolutely no truth backing it up.

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So you find the explanation that an entire league's worth of training staffs are doing a subpar job the most likely one?

This MLS players need to be pushed harder than Europe based players is not a Klinsmann only thing. The guy who was the fitness coach in 2002-2010 said exactly that. (See my last post). So why do people assume it's (1) novel and unique to Klinsmann and (2) a slight on MLS?

All three of those guys have been hurt recently, so that isn't really indicative of an issue with MLS players at large. That's 3 guys of 15.

I could say the same thing about Jones, Chandler and AJ. Are they fit, healthy and ready to reach peak fitness?

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Yes,

- Chandler went 90 vs. Hannover 1 1/2 week ago and a pre-arranged 45 vs. Mainz the week before that. The week before the Mainz match Klinsmann sent trainers to Germany and was "pleased with his progress". Chandler is fully healthy.
- Johannsson is fully heathy and ready to go tomorrowhttp://news24h.allnews24h.com/3RrG
- Jermaine Jones is not injured

Actually, complaining about their players' form is almost de rigueur. It's just strange because it had not happened before, due to our coaches being rather naïve (it's gamesmanship, come on).

Loew is also saying he's getting most of his players in poor form, doing the whole woe-is-me we're-going-to-lose act. I wouldn't put any stock in it. Yeah, some players are out of form, but it's probably a couple of them (the Galaxy has played so few games, it may be a problem for Gonzo and Donovan).

But, in general, saying your players are not in top form, is part of the gamesmanship. You want the other guys to think you're not feeling all too well. Problem is, everybody uses it, so it's a bit pointless.

This MLS players need to be pushed harder than Europe based players is not a Klinsmann only thing. The guy who was the fitness coach in 2002-2010 said exactly that. (See my last post). So why do people assume it's (1) novel and unique to Klinsmann and (2) a slight on MLS?

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Because that's not really what Barrieu was quoted as saying? His quote was related to guys being fresher because they were hurt, not anything to do with the fitness of the domestic players.

- Chandler went 90 vs. Hannover 1 1/2 week ago and a pre-arranged 45 vs. Mainz the week before that. The week before the Mainz match Klinsmann sent trainers to Germany and was "pleased with his progress". Chandler is fully healthy.
- Johannsson is fully heathy and ready to go tomorrowhttp://news24h.allnews24h.com/3RrG
- Jermaine Jones is not injured

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AJ, Jones and Chandler are both coming off injury; playing 1.5 games after missing 10 weeks; there's not a chance in hell Chandler's in better shape than a random MLS player in camp.

AJ, Jones and Chandler are both coming off injury; playing 1.5 games after missing 10 weeks; there's not a chance in hell Chandler's in better shape than a random MLS player in camp.

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ok...you asked whether they are A) fit (they are...they are..they've gone a full 90 and resumed full training with their clubs) B) healthy (yes, they aren't injured) and C) Ready to reach full fitness (I think they are since they aren't injured and will have gone a full 90 for their club )

you asked whether they are A) fit (they are...they've gone a full 90 and resumed full training with their clubs) B) healthy (yes, they aren't injured) and C) Ready to reach full fitness (I think they are since they aren't injured and will have gone a full 90 for their club )

you asked whether they are A) fit (they are...they are..they've gone a full 90 and resumed full training with their clubs) B) healthy (yes, they aren't injured) and C) Ready to reach full fitness (I think they are since they aren't injured and will have gone a full 90 for their club )

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My point was comparing their current fitness level to the example of Evans, Donovan and Gonzalez as those three were given as an example of maybe why JK said what he said. All 6 guys have been dealing with an injury. I understand AJ, TC and JJ are back playing but I doubt Chandler's "base" is as good as...I dunno, Zusi's, because he missed time.

My point was comparing their current fitness level to the example of Evans, Donovan and Gonzalez as those three were given as an example of maybe why JK said what he said. All 6 guys have been dealing with an injury. I understand AJ, TC and JJ are back playing.

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I won't take sides with or against our coach in the instance, and while I don't always agree with everything he says or does on the field, I do trust him. If he thinks that a certain group are at a disadvantage then I will believe him.

Because that's not really what Barrieu was quoted as saying? His quote was related to guys being fresher because they were hurt, not anything to do with the fitness of the domestic players.

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I admit I can't readily tell what is Barrieu speaking and what is author's editorializing, but there's a statement in there: "MLS men are on the front end of theirs and probably need to be pushed harder in camp." The sentences are muddled enough that I assume the sentiment came from Barrieu or at least he didn't disagree with the premiss. I'm just suggesting that the Europe/MLS divide regarding fitness vs dead legs discussion is a natural one and not something more sinister (I.e., not meant to be a slight or result of some hidden agenda). Maybe someone like Bradley is the ideal case (started in Italy, took about a month to transition to MLS).

You guys response on my comment is that he did it before, never mind how long ago, and the only recent ones has been of a half volley type, dead ball or a goalie that is caught out of place because the ball got intercepted. I know pointing out LD's CURRENT shortcoming is taboo with some of you. We should see where JK puts him and how he does, I'm sure if or when he does bad the same folks will come up with an excuse as always.

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Again, the point is all you, nothing to do with Donovan. You either lied or made a stupid error in stating that Donovan NEVER scored for the USMNT from outside the box. Your spin that you meant the WC and non-deflected shots is stupid, as no one other than Dempsey meets that standard. You either lied or have such an inflated ego combined with such a poor ability to comprehend soccer that it creates the illusion in your own mind of an alternate reality where Donovan has a poor outside shot.

A couple of real point. I think 7 goals out of 57 from outside the box is a pretty high percentage relative to most scorers. Secondly, I do think there is a question whether the outside shot is one of Donovan's skills that has dropped off in recent years. Of course, the real question is whether Donovan is a better option at outside midfield than Zusi, Bedoya or FJ.

Again, the point is all you, nothing to do with Donovan. You either lied or made a stupid error in stating that Donovan NEVER scored for the USMNT from outside the box. Your spin that you meant the WC and non-deflected shots is stupid, as no one other than Dempsey meets that standard. You either lied or have such an inflated ego combined with such a poor ability to comprehend soccer that it creates the illusion in your own mind of an alternate reality where Donovan has a poor outside shot.

A couple of real point. I think 7 goals out of 57 from outside the box is a pretty high percentage relative to most scorers. Secondly, I do think there is a question whether the outside shot is one of Donovan's skills that has dropped off in recent years. Of course, the real question is whether Donovan is a better option at outside midfield than Zusi, Bedoya or FJ.

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I stand what I said, he hasn't been good from the outside in the WC and now I know that practically everyone else isn't either, which is sad.
LD still good enough for the outside, as an SS he is a good setup man, not sure if that is enough for him to go there and have to battle the other guys. Some folks make the assumption that because he played the SS in the GC that he is going to do well in the WC, I don't think so.